Explore the best rated trails in Charleston, IL. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Greenbelt Bikeway and Montezuma B&O Walking Bridge. With more than 26 trails covering 91 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Monticello is a small, central Illinois town steeped in a railroad history it still celebrates. Its Chamber of Commerce has offices and special activities in the historical downtown train depot. And...
The General Dacey Trail, which first opened in 2006, is a beautiful and richly varied trail located between the city of Shelbyville to the west and large Lake Shelbyville to the east. Its surface is...
The Stevens Creek Bikeway follows a scenic stream for 4 miles through neighborhoods and woodlands, connecting two parks (one at each end of the trail) on the western side of Decatur in central...
The Montezuma B&O Walking Bridge crosses the Wabash River, connecting Vermillion county and Parke county. Previously an abandoned B&O railroad bridge, the structure underwent a revitalization that...
Monticello is a small, central Illinois town steeped in a railroad history it still celebrates. Its Chamber of Commerce has offices and special activities in the historic downtown Train Depot. And it...
The Fairview Park Trail, in western Decatur, traverses the large and beautiful Fairview Park and connects (via roadway) to the park's various attractions: an aquatic center, lake, gardens, pavilions,...
The Wabashiki Trail sits on the traces the perimeter of the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area, leaving travelers with the dual experience of nature and suburbia on either side. Great for wildlife...
The first portion of the TREC (Trail Recreation Effingham County) system, totaling approximately 3 miles, is complete, although eventually 30 miles of county-wide bicycling and walking trails will be...
The Harold E. Ruppel sits in a perfect location to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and non-motorized transportation for residents of Savoy Village, in the Champaign-Urbana metro area. It...
The Rosedale South Trail offers a paved, tree-lined route along the former Pennsylvania Railroad in the western Indiana community of Rosedale. It begins on the Central Street and travels southwest for...
The Lincoln Park Trail runs along the wooded north banks of the Sangamon River. It's mostly flat with a few low hills. Visible from the trail are Decatur's Lincoln Park, some classic old neighborhoods...
The Mahomet Village Bike Trail is a safe, paved route that connects all the major parts of the village. On the north, there are the various and popular facilities of the Lake of the Woods Forest...
O'Malley's Alley is a paved, half-mile trail through a residential area south of Kaufman Lake on the western end of Champaign. On Kenwood Road (at the eastern end of the trail), you can head south on...
The Collett Park Pathway begins on the northern edge of the Indiana State University campus, where it connects to the National Road Heritage Trail, a proposed border-to-border route stretching between...
While you’re in the land of Lincoln, visit the Lincoln Prairie Trail to make the trip complete. Starting at the trailhead in northwest Pana, leisurely stroll along a paved trail that is nicely...
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The Terre Haute segment of the National Road Heritage Trail runs for nearly 7 miles between the west end of Indiana State University campus downtown and Chamberlain Road behind Mewhinney Cemetery just...
The Brown Boulevard Trail offers students from Terre Haute North Vigo High School a safe route to the Indiana State University Stadium to catch a game. The 2-mile trail also connects to the National...
North of the Sangamon River crossing, the Conservation District Trail closely follows Stevens Creek through a flat and dense wetlands forest on the west end of Decatur. South of the river, the trail...
The Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail runs 12 miles, much of the way along an old railroad right-of-way between County Highway 2 east of Charleston and the ball fields at 10th Street in Mattoon; an...
Except for short-distance walkers, the principal attraction of the Kiwanis Park/West Side Trail is its connection to the other parts of Decatur's trail system. From its western terminus, one can...
Although less than 1 mile long, the Dobbs Trail offers an important connection between two of Terre Haute's most popular parks, Deming and Dobbs. It follows Poplar Drive, a tree-lined residential...
The Montezuma B&O Walking Bridge crosses the Wabash River, connecting Vermillion county and Parke county. Previously an abandoned B&O railroad bridge, the structure underwent a revitalization that...
The backbone of the Greenbelt Bikeway runs north–south along Copper Slough, passing through two large city parks divided by W. Bradley Avenue. In Dodds Park to the north, there is a spur west through...
Except for short-distance walkers, the principal attraction of the Kiwanis Park/West Side Trail is its connection to the other parts of Decatur's trail system. From its western terminus, one can...
Although less than 1 mile long, there are plenty of reasons to hit the Fairbanks Park Trail in western Indiana's Terre Haute. The tree-lined pathway winds along the banks of the Wabash River through...
The Terre Haute segment of the National Road Heritage Trail runs for nearly 7 miles between the west end of Indiana State University campus downtown and Chamberlain Road behind Mewhinney Cemetery just...
The Stevens Creek Bikeway follows a scenic stream for 4 miles through neighborhoods and woodlands, connecting two parks (one at each end of the trail) on the western side of Decatur in central...
The Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail runs 12 miles, much of the way along an old railroad right-of-way between County Highway 2 east of Charleston and the ball fields at 10th Street in Mattoon; an...
North of the Sangamon River crossing, the Conservation District Trail closely follows Stevens Creek through a flat and dense wetlands forest on the west end of Decatur. South of the river, the trail...
The Mahomet Village Bike Trail is a safe, paved route that connects all the major parts of the village. On the north, there are the various and popular facilities of the Lake of the Woods Forest...
The first 6.7-mile section of the Kickapoo Rail Trail in eastern Illinois opened in August 2017. Paralleling U.S. 150, the Champaign County rail-trail runs from Urbana east to St. Joseph along the...
The Collett Park Pathway begins on the northern edge of the Indiana State University campus, where it connects to the National Road Heritage Trail, a proposed border-to-border route stretching between...
The Rosedale South Trail offers a paved, tree-lined route along the former Pennsylvania Railroad in the western Indiana community of Rosedale. It begins on the Central Street and travels southwest for...
The Wabashiki Trail sits on the traces the perimeter of the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area, leaving travelers with the dual experience of nature and suburbia on either side. Great for wildlife...
The unique Indiana Veterans Memorial Mile circles Indiana State University's football stadium in the shape of the state. Along the way, fitness stations add to your walking or biking routine. At...
The Lincoln Park Trail runs along the wooded north banks of the Sangamon River. It's mostly flat with a few low hills. Visible from the trail are Decatur's Lincoln Park, some classic old neighborhoods...
While you’re in the land of Lincoln, visit the Lincoln Prairie Trail to make the trip complete. Starting at the trailhead in northwest Pana, leisurely stroll along a paved trail that is nicely...
The Harold E. Ruppel sits in a perfect location to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and non-motorized transportation for residents of Savoy Village, in the Champaign-Urbana metro area. It...
The Hulman Street Trail follows its namesake roadway through residential and commercial areas of Terre Haute, passing Farrington Grove Elementary School along the way. At its western end, the trail...
The General Dacey Trail, which first opened in 2006, is a beautiful and richly varied trail located between the city of Shelbyville to the west and large Lake Shelbyville to the east. Its surface is...
Monticello is a small, central Illinois town steeped in a railroad history it still celebrates. Its Chamber of Commerce has offices and special activities in the historical downtown train depot. And...
Monticello is a small, central Illinois town steeped in a railroad history it still celebrates. Its Chamber of Commerce has offices and special activities in the historic downtown Train Depot. And it...
Except for short-distance walkers, the principal attraction of the Kiwanis Park/West Side Trail is its connection to the other parts of Decatur's trail system. From its western terminus, one can...
The Stevens Creek Bikeway follows a scenic stream for 4 miles through neighborhoods and woodlands, connecting two parks (one at each end of the trail) on the western side of Decatur in central...
Although less than 1 mile long, there are plenty of reasons to hit the Fairbanks Park Trail in western Indiana's Terre Haute. The tree-lined pathway winds along the banks of the Wabash River through...
The Brown Boulevard Trail offers students from Terre Haute North Vigo High School a safe route to the Indiana State University Stadium to catch a game. The 2-mile trail also connects to the National...
The General Dacey Trail, which first opened in 2006, is a beautiful and richly varied trail located between the city of Shelbyville to the west and large Lake Shelbyville to the east. Its surface is...
While you’re in the land of Lincoln, visit the Lincoln Prairie Trail to make the trip complete. Starting at the trailhead in northwest Pana, leisurely stroll along a paved trail that is nicely...
The Collett Park Pathway begins on the northern edge of the Indiana State University campus, where it connects to the National Road Heritage Trail, a proposed border-to-border route stretching between...
The Fairview Park Trail, in western Decatur, traverses the large and beautiful Fairview Park and connects (via roadway) to the park's various attractions: an aquatic center, lake, gardens, pavilions,...
The first portion of the TREC (Trail Recreation Effingham County) system, totaling approximately 3 miles, is complete, although eventually 30 miles of county-wide bicycling and walking trails will be...
The Mahomet Village Bike Trail is a safe, paved route that connects all the major parts of the village. On the north, there are the various and popular facilities of the Lake of the Woods Forest...
The Hulman Street Trail follows its namesake roadway through residential and commercial areas of Terre Haute, passing Farrington Grove Elementary School along the way. At its western end, the trail...
The Terre Haute segment of the National Road Heritage Trail runs for nearly 7 miles between the west end of Indiana State University campus downtown and Chamberlain Road behind Mewhinney Cemetery just...
North of the Sangamon River crossing, the Conservation District Trail closely follows Stevens Creek through a flat and dense wetlands forest on the west end of Decatur. South of the river, the trail...
The Montezuma B&O Walking Bridge crosses the Wabash River, connecting Vermillion county and Parke county. Previously an abandoned B&O railroad bridge, the structure underwent a revitalization that...
The Wabashiki Trail sits on the traces the perimeter of the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area, leaving travelers with the dual experience of nature and suburbia on either side. Great for wildlife...
The backbone of the Greenbelt Bikeway runs north–south along Copper Slough, passing through two large city parks divided by W. Bradley Avenue. In Dodds Park to the north, there is a spur west through...
Although less than 1 mile long, the Dobbs Trail offers an important connection between two of Terre Haute's most popular parks, Deming and Dobbs. It follows Poplar Drive, a tree-lined residential...
The Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail runs 12 miles, much of the way along an old railroad right-of-way between County Highway 2 east of Charleston and the ball fields at 10th Street in Mattoon; an...
There are sections of this trail that are very rough. After a few miles...I just gave up beating me and the bike to death. This could be a beautiful trail if it just had some repaving and trimming.
We enjoyed our first out and back ride on the Lincoln Prairie Trail on a hot and sunny morning. First the positives. Beautiful farmland scenery over a 13.5 mile straight line from Pana to Taylorville. Tree cover is intermittent and very welcome on a sunny day with the exception of a 2 mile long open stretch just east of Taylorville. There are a number of really beautiful stretches where you’re going through a tunnel of trees along the way. For those looking for a flat trail, this fits the bill. Over our 27 mile out and back ride we gained a mere 250 feet of altitude. As for the less positive elements, the pavement varies between good and poor condition. The opening 2 miles from Pana is pretty rough with lots of grass and weeds growing through cracks in the pavement. In other areas there are a lot of cracks and bumps that detract a bit from the ride. Be aware that there are no amenities along the path. Use the restroom at the McDonalds in Pana before starting as the porta-potty at the Pana parking lot is not very nice. Also be sure to pack water and a snack as there is no where to get something along the way. Despite the negatives, we really enjoyed our ride and will be back. If you love beautiful farm scenes and a flat ride you should enjoy the Lincoln Prairie Trail. When we reached the north end near Taylorville we were greeted with an imposing concrete barrier that keeps you from crossing a small bridge and completing the last mile into Taylorville. I hope they can raise the funds to repair the bridge as it would really be nice stop for a refreshment before returning to Pana.
In the first mile today was met by two unleashed dogs near VCSC building. On my return the same two were charged me and my pet (who was leashed). I fortunately had a poop scoop with me to fend off both dogs. Contacted WTH Police Dept. who indicated they were familiar with the dogs around the area of 4th & Olive. Not blaming the dogs and will give benifit of doubt to owners who may not have been aware the collared dogs were loose. Just want future guests of park to be aware of the risk they may encounter and to be prepared just in case.
One mile from bro walk in WTH, was attacked by two neigh hood dogs (4th & Olive). Luckily had poop scoop with me and was able to fend off. Again on way back same to dogs. Reported to WTH police who were familiar with dogs. Will wait a few weeks to see if owners take responsibility before attempting another walk. Landscape looks awesome and well maintained. Just be aware if you have children or pets !!!
If you happen to be in Charleston IL then definitely visit it, but don’t go out of your way to visit it It is in very excellent condition, 95% paved despite the photo on this website Straight as an arrow, one slight turn in 11 miles. Very nice nature center about 3 miles from end in Mattoon Il.
The trail is great, but needs shade and wind barriers.
We started at the Jones Trailhead on Chamberlain Street, road about 3.8 miles toward the University then turned around. This section of the trail was mostly smooth and quite nice.
The trail is well maintained and offers a relaxing ride through the wetlands outside of West Terre Haute. Plenty of wildlife encountered on the trail from rabbits to turkeys to deer. Even better is that the pedestrian walkway adjacent to US 40 is now open. This creates a loop completely safe from traffic. The only road riding is though a sleepy little neighborhood. The “no trespassing” signs seen on the trail are on private property. Most likely to keep people from cutting through yards to get to the streets. Mosquitos, when stopped, are the main downside this time of year.
We parked at the Charleston Baseball Seaton Complex and rode towards Mattoon. The trail is a wonderful smooth asphalt surface which is sunny all the way to the Douglas-Hart Nature Center. It is a great trail!
Beautiful scenery! however this trail is no longer asphalt it has been converted to a gravel trail,Lack of signage also makes it hard and confusing to find, If you have the luck of finding it you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the lake and heavily wooded areas.
My partner and I decided to try this trail out because I used to run it frequently several years ago. We knew about the issue with the bridge, but we were hopeful it had been fixed. When we got to the Taylorville trailhead at Paw Paw Street and saw that the letters had been taken off the road sign warning trail users that the bridge was out. Alas, when we got a mile in, we were met with the closed bridge. I hope that they fix the bridge soon, or at the very least update the sign on the Taylorville end.
Other that that, trail was in pretty decent condition. Only saw one other person on the trail, but that's understandable considering that there wasn't much trail to use on that end.
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